South Sudan: The OCHA Report of February 2018 shows that the state systematically does crimes against humanity!

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report on South Sudan on the 23rd February 2018 to the Human Rights Council. It has some striking finds that the OCHA has been able to collect from the recent events in the Republic of South Sudan. These should not go unnoticed as the misuse of force and power, should be questioned. That the government and war-lords are continuing to salvage whatever left and spending their time on their power, instead of building a nation.

This report is spelling out devious attempts to control power and also vicious malicious acts against humanity. That should not be left in the blind. Maybe the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Government (SPLM/A-IG) doesn’t want this out, neither does the President Salva Kiir Mayardiit. The OCHA reports shows this and therefore, the continuation of the civil war are reasons for all of this.

Civilians Attacked:

Evidence shows that the SPLA has launched attacks directed against the civilian population where no opposition armed forces have been present to justify a military attack, and has intentionally killed unarmed and fleeing civilians in the incidents investigated by the Commission. The consistent narrative that emerges from these attacks against civilians and intentional killings is that they have been undertaken in retaliation for battlefield losses or killings of SPLA soldiers by opposition forces, or because civilians have been perceived to be sympathetic to the opposition due to their ethnicity or their place of residence in an opposition controlled area” (OCHA, P: 5, 2018).

Sexual and Gender Based Violence:

The Commission paid special attention to sexual and gender-based violence which remains a central feature of the conflict. The Commission documented many accounts of rape, gang rape, forced stripping or nudity, forced sexual acts, castration and mutilation of genitalia, which were perpetrated by the SPLA, the Mathiang Anyoor, National Security Services personnel and Military Intelligence, as well as SPLA-IO, during military attacks in Greater Upper Nile, the Equatorias and Greater Bahr el Ghazal” (OCHA, P: 6, 2018).

Recruiting Child Soldiers:

Confidential documents received by the Commission showed extensive presence of children among the SPLA and SPLA-IO (TD) forces in Upper Nile. The Commission also observed children associated with armed forces and armed groups in Eastern and Central Equatorias, on the West Bank of the Nile, and in Western Bahr el Ghazal, some as young as twelve years old. Children told the Commission of being abducted from outside their homes and schools, and of voluntarily joining armed forces and groups to protect themselves and their families. Some children were forced to kill civilians or loot, and were subjected to corporal punishment if they did not obey orders. A recent report by the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) (2018/2) suggests that “the recruitment and employment of ‘child soldiers’ goes on throughout the country.” (OHCA, P: 6, 2018).

Extra-Judicial Killings in Yei:

The Commission received numerous reports of extra-judicial killing of civilians, particularly of young men suspected of supporting the SPLA-IO. SPLA soldiers also repeatedly abducted civilians who were later found dead. UNMISS Human Rights Division documented the killing of 114 civilians by pro-Government forces around Yei between mid-July 2016 and mid-January 2017, pointing out that the actual number of fatalities and injuries is likely to be much higher” (OHCA, P: 7, 2018).

Crimes in the Pajok:

The Commission finds that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the SPLA intentionally directed attacks against the civilian population and deliberately killed civilians in Pajok on 3 April 2017. Furthermore, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the SPLA engaged in systematic looting and theft of private property either for personal or organisational use in the aftermath of the attack. The SPLA attack on civilians in Pajok in 2017 directly led to the displacement of nearly the entire population of the town” (OHCA, P: 10, 2018).

Crimes in the Wau:

The Commission finds reasonable grounds to believe that SPLA soldiers engaged in killings of civilians, and looting and destruction of private property in Wau town on 24-25 June 2016 and killings of civilians in Wau town on 10 April 2017. These amount to serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law, and may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity” (OHCA, P: 11, 2018).

Crimes in the West Bank:

Based on the evidence collected, the Commission finds reasonable grounds to believe that SPLA soldiers deliberately killed civilians and extensively looted and destroyed civilian property during their ground offensive along the West bank of the Nile in 2017. The evidence provides reasonable grounds to believe that the SPLA directed attacks against the civilian population. These amount to serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law, and may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity” (OHCA, P: 12, 2018).

Crimes in Pagak:

The Commission finds reasonable grounds to believe that SPLA soldiers engaged in killings of civilians, rape and other forms of conflict-related sexual violence, theft or pillage, and destruction of civilian and humanitarian objects in Mathiang, Maiwut, and Pagak and the surrounding villages and areas during its offensive in south-eastern Upper Nile in 2017. The evidence provides reasonable grounds to believe that the SPLA directed attacks against the civilian population” (OHCA, P: 14, 2018).

This is just the collection of the evidence that the OCHR has, and surely there are more stories not told, because of fear or because the people who flee from the battleground couldn’t speak of the violence. The assessment of the matter, is that this report is only preliminary, as the state are muffling the voices of discontent and tried to silence the local media. So we know that the UN OHCA has collected a good dose of evidence and documentation, that can verify the violations against human rights and humanitarian laws. That the state and army together in the violations, also the militias who are doing their part too.

That the SPLA has been a common denominator many parts of the Republic, should also worry as the state sanctioned violence is the reason for lots of the crimes against humanity. That they have attacked directly the ones they are supposed to defend and secure the citizens. They should not be known for terrorizing and destroying the society for the gains of the President. That is just wrong. Peace.

Reference:

Office for Coordination Human Rights (OCHR) Commission – ‘Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan’ (23.02.2018)

South Sudan Civil Society Forum surprised by Minister’s Comment on Economy boom (25.02.2018)

South Sudan: “Re- Suspected Case of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Against Some Members of the Ghana FPU Contigent with UNMISS – South Sudan” (25.02.2018)

The Goblin address the Crocodile, but he is throwing stones in a glasshouse!

Its been 100 days since 15th November 2017, the coup that wasn’t a coup, but apparently was a coup in Zimbabwe. That toppled the 37 years of rule by the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) under President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe has run the nation since 1980 and freed it from the British. However, he overstayed, and the public cheered for the fall in November with their rally for liberation from Mugabe. Now that it had gone 99 days, the Goblin showed his true face, as he will today celebrate his birthday without eating of the whole state budget this year.

So yesterday he said this to the media:

Mugabe then said he was forced to resign under military pressure, notes reveal. “I was pressured by the army to resign; I did so in order to avoid conflict and bloodshed in my country. I was worried because it had been brought to my attention that people had been intimidated, illegally seized, attacked, homes had been raided at gunpoint and destroyed, and weapons confiscated from other state security agencies,” Mugabe said. “The army had been unconstitutionally deployed without permission of the commander-in-chief and soldiers continue to be used in this operation. So from a constitutional point of view, he (Mnangagwa) is there unconstitutionally. “Mnangagwa is in power illegally, yet some of his officials dare call me a dictator. What dictator? “Maybe a dictator for dictating that we must take over our land and give it to the people; maybe a dictator for demanding that our people must be empowered. If that’s why they call me a dictator, I have no problem with that” (…) “He the added a new dimension: “Now you want to know whether elections will be free and fair. Of course, I don’t think so. How can they be free and fair when the military is running everything?” Mugabe said the situation was worrying, adding his security was not guaranteed. “For instance, they told you, I was safe, but how can I be in this environment? My wife is crying daily. They are persecuting her; that is obviously directed at me. What am I without my wife and family? We are not safe,” Mugabe said. “We have constitutional benefits, for example, but these are being denied.” (Gagare, 2018).

It is strange and deranged to read this from the Goblin, it is unique that he talked to the press. The world should know what he said to local media. Because it shows his true heart, after he was removed. Not likely he would have gone down without pressure, since he used all tricks to stop the likes of Morgan Tsvangirai and others from power. 

Me and Mugabe agree, that it was unconstitutional of the army to topple him, but not like he didn’t misuse the army and the government resources over 30 years. Not like he didn’t care for constitution or just elections, when he was the President. Mugabe is the wrong man throwing the stone, as he is casting it in a glasshouse. He is just bitter, that someone finally beat him at his game. That he wasn’t following the internal issues within the Zanu-PF and the army, before they brought him down in November.

I don’t expect free and fair elections, President Emmerson Mnangagwa might promise it in words, but his actions might differ. However, the demonstrations and memorials of Tsvangirai has been peaceful with little or no interference from the police. Other than a few others at other parties rallies in the recent months. So we have to see if they will play by common sense or prepare to rigg for Mnangagwa.

Mugabe is not the man to play those cards, he has misused his time in office, he didn’t build institutions or electoral reforms. If he did, he would have gone much sooner. Mugabe should be happy he isn’t walking in and out of the court-room answering for his crimes and acts of ill over 3 decades. He has hurt enough families and made sure they had to flee for a better life. The misuse of government funds and riches on their own. They should be happy the state hasn’t confiscated their ill-gotten gains. That would have been proper, that the stolen funds should be given back.

He is so used to power, he doesn’t see it himself. That didn’t deliver free and fair elections, he didn’t follow the constitution or the rules, he apply them only to others, just like he did when he was in power. The same kind of answers and belief. If you eat it up, your a G-40 Zanu-PF who misses the good old days of Grace spinning the wheels. If not, your are a Lacoste who has risen to power. Thirdly, your a opposition who working hard to changes and hopefully able to rip up the Zanu-PF. So the state can evolve even more and further away from the legacy of the Goblin. Peace.

Reference:

Gagare, Owen – ‘Mugabe breathes fire over Mnangagwa rule’ (23.02.2018) link: https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2018/02/23/mugabe-breathes-fire-mnangagwa-rule/

South Sudan: Equatorian Leaders in the Diaspora applauds the stand of the Oppostion Groups at the recent Peace Talks in Addis Ababa (22.02.2018)

Ethiopia: The New State of Emergency Directives -“It’s now more draconian and more aggressive towards dissidents!”

The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) are not moving softly, but swift. Just like in the past and previous State of Emergency, the TPLF junta, the TPLF controlled government plans to silence the Oromo and Amhara protest, even as they have finally released many of their leaders and known voices of oppression. This being all from Oromo leaders to bloggers and journalists. Who has lingered in jail for years, without proper charges or evidence of their crimes. Still, there are thousands of political prisoners who hasn’t been freed by the government.

So in Amhara, the last few days in Baha Dir and Gondar, the towns has been shutdown and the shops closed. Sitting home protest to the newly decreed State of Emergency, that was done by the Council of Ministers. Today the State Owned and Controlled Media House Fana put out an explanation of the new rules, they are specific and proves that they are not tolerating anymore demonstrations and political rallies, which is not sponsored by the TPLF junta in Addis Ababa.

“In his press briefing today, Secretariat of the Command Post and Minister of Defense, Siraj Fegessa, announced details of prohibited actions and measures to be taken against anyone if found violating the directives” (…) “It also prohibits obstructing transport services, carrying out attacks on infrastructures and development institutions, hampering activities of law enforcement bodies, and staging unauthorized demonstrations and meetings. It also forbids hindering teaching learning process at schools, strike at sport fields, violence inciting actions, hindering distributions of basic goods as well as obstructing cultural, public and religious festivals. It also forbids promoting political agendas. Possessing firearm at public areas or transferring firearms to third party as well as providing support to activities which affect the peace and wellbeing of the people are also prohibited by the State of Emergency. The decree also prohibits issuing statement on security matters without the permission of the Command Post, distributing erroneous and information which contradict with the law and the directives issued by the Command Post” (Fana BC, Amare Asrat – ‘Command Post issues details of State of Emergency’ 21.02.2018).

So again, the TPLF infused state are taking hold of the public sphere, as the soldiers and agazi squad is in the streets and on their posts. This months roadblocks and stopping of transports of goods to Addis has clearly hit the pride of the EPRDF and the TPLF. They cannot manage the public outcry and the momentum of the demonstrations. Since they have been gaining support and strength with the prolonged control of the state.

Now all demonstrations, all promotion of political agenda, meaning only the one message from the Council of Ministers are okay and the state officials like Siraj Fegessa are allowed. The rest are to bow to the masters of EPRDF as the SoE continues. What a narrative and oppressive regime from the get-go. They are stopping all sort of sharing of information, that meaning we could soon be seeing blocked internet, blocked social media, stopping of phone-lines and others measures to stop demonstrations.

If you thought the leadership and Council of Ministers came in peace, your wrong, they are taking away all freedoms and doing it with impunity. Because they cannot manage to understand or reflect on why the Oromo and Amhara people are tired. They just want to rule and silence the opposition. They want to use force and harass these regions. Detain, destroy and spread fear, but clearly, it isn’t working as anticipated. Since, they are continuing and the aggression from the government should be forfeited. Instead, this measures and this pressure from the state, might dissolve it.

Who knows, but they cannot stop the momentum and neither the public uprising, which has already shown force in Oromia and Amhara. It is just a matter of time before they say: “enough”. When they do, the military and the police can be there, but they cannot arrest them all or kill them all. Then they have nothing to earn and no citizens to gain profits from, it would be suicide of the government to do that.

Not the TPLF and EPRDF is bright, since they instead of reconciling with the protesters, they started another SoE. They could have gone the route of peace and negotiations, instead they are using force, they might think they are winning, but they are not. They are slowly losing, but not knowing it. Peace.

South Sudan Civil Society Forum: High-Level Revitalization Forum could have achieved more than it did (20.02.2018)

South Sudan: SPLM/A-IO – “The Status of the Ongoing IGAD led – High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF)” (19.02.2018)

Opinion: Does the EU know how the EPRDF/TPLF uses the force during a State of Emergency? – Doesn’t look like it.

Just as the State of Emergency is setting effect. The Amhara Region has started their new protests against the regime. They are now having city wide demonstration and stay home one, where people stayed home instead of going out or opening shops in Gonder and Bahir Dar. That is the proof of the word of mouth and tiredness of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF ) and also the dominant party of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Those are the ones who most likely put the force in the State of the Emergency at the “Council of Ministers” during the weekend. After the Prime Minister resigned.

So its a setback and proves the lack of proper mentality or even understanding the tiredness, that the European Union, doesn’t see the hour of need, the strength of the public will and the demonstrations in Amhara and Oromia. That they could offer moral support, if any. Since, they are supposed to be on the barricades for democracy and for human rights. Instead, they are now limiting their statement and making less progress. In the view of stability over the democracy and over justice for the Ethiopian people and the groups who has been neglected by the EPRDF.

European Union Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ray in a statement today said this:

The announced reinstatement of the State of Emergency risks undermining this very objective. It is therefore of the outmost importance that it should be as limited in time as possible and respectful of human rights and fundamental freedoms, notably those enshrined in the Ethiopian Constitution. Violence should also be avoided. As a committed partner of Ethiopia and of the Ethiopian people, the EU will continue to encourage all actors to work constructively towards a democratic and stable Ethiopia” (EEAS – Catherine Ray – ‘ Statement on the situation in Ethiopia’ 19.02.2018).

The Oromo Party in the coalition the Oromo People’s Democratic Organizatino (OPDO) has today elected new leadership. They have elected or selected Ahmed Abiye, instead of the one everyone though would win and might become PM, that being Lemma Megersa. So, this also changes the battle and the question of who will be appointed the next PM. That can be the saving grace or create even more hostile atmosphere. Since the TPLF might put enough stones on the scale to crash the whole regime. There are even reported that Lemma Mergesa are today put under house-arrest. That is from credible sources within the EPRDF and TPLF. This could be reason for why Abiye became the new leader of OPDO.

While in the party of the former PM, there has been election where now Defense Minister and the one who announced the State of Emergency Siraj Fegessa has become the party chairman of the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM). Therefore, he might be a front-runner to, unless the TPLF are weighing the scale to get someone from the regions, which the EPDRF has used force in. That being the Amhara and Oromia regions, that the state has used the army, detained and killed.

That is why, its like the EU are looking the other way, asking the EPDRF to act nicely, when they have a reputation and has a history of open violence, actual takeover and invasions of armies into the public sphere and against civilians to quell the uprisings of the citizens there. It is like the EU doesn’t want to know about the destruction and the killings in the provinces. Like please be nice, but not hurt the Ethiopians, the Amhara people or the Oromo people either.

Today as the EU wrote about peace and non-violence, there are report in the midst of the stay-home demonstrations as Col. Demeke Zewde came home to Gonder, the Aghazi Squad shot live bullets at the crowds. Clearly, the TPLF and EPRDF are continuing their oppression and has no plans of doing otherwise.

We can wonder if the EU gets it, but don’t expect it too. They are now showing compliance and not understanding the situation and the dire need for change. That the society and the state, needs a new leadership who actually listens not only to the protesting regions, but the whole amount of citizens. Not only the Tigray and their hunger for power. If Brussels cannot understand that, then they are blindly looking the other way.

It’s a terrible look if the EU is serious about human rights, working for democratic institutions and actually caring about more than stability. They should support the rising uprising, the defiance of the state and the protest, which has lasted for years. Because their tolerance of oppression is over. It is just the TPLF and EPRDF who cannot muster change, since they want it by any means. Peace.

South Sudan – SPLM/A-IO: “SPLM/A (IO) leaders in the US Condemn the mockery of Justice in the case of James Gatdet Dak, Call on IGAD and the international community to immediatly intervene” (19.02.2018)